The family originally founded the company, Rising Tide, in 2013 to provide employment for John’s other son, Andrew, who is autistic.At the time, Andrew was about to turn 22, an age experts say is a pivotal year for many people with autism as they often face challenges attempting to enter the work force.

"What we find in the autism community is that when someone turns 22 and ages out of the school system, there is very little meaningful activity. In the autism community we call that, 'falling off the cliffs,'" Andrew's brother, Tom, told NationSwell.

Prior to starting their business, John and Tom spent two years researching the best job options for those with autism. They found that a car wash was a good fit, as experts have pointed out that people with the disorder often thrive in a job environment that requires repetition. They also believed that a car wash would demonstrate to the public that people with autism are valuable members of the workforce.

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